It is a win win! With the holiday season just around the corner, people are in the shopping mood; however not everyone can tolerate “Black Friday” lines or “Cyber Monday “electronic chaos…ok I can’t.
It is true that I went on line to comparison shop prices, and I even loaded my on line cart with some goodies, but I got overwhelmed and logged off and never looked back. Somehow I could not justify the electronics for my kids even at “door buster prices”.
Jonell Kirby Cash, author of “A Ring a Dance a Second Chance” held a reading and book signing at AVID bookstore http://www.avidbookshop.com/ November 18th…the week before Thanksgiving. I attended the event and had the pleasure of spending time with the owner Janet Geddes. Janet and I chatted about a book I was looking for, she helped me choose some unique titles for my children for Christmas and then I participated in Jon ell’s discussion group.
Just yesterday I received a call from Rachel, the marketing director from AVID…she had the book I was looking for. I had not placed an order…Janet remembered the authors name and title and took it upon herself to order it for me. That is customer service neighborhood style. This is what you get for shopping local…you get a person who cares about you. When you buy from them…you support their business…it is a win win.
Today, I grabbed my co-worker, Becky, and ran down the street to pick up my new book. Becky is planning a wedding in May and found two books, signed by local authors that would make excellent bridal party gifts. She purchased both titles and inquired about a book signing taking place this Monday. “Would it be possible to get a book signed?” Becky asked. Rachel took notes and offered “I don’t see why not.”
Becky and I left the story giddy with our purchases while speculating that her parents and bridal party would want to shop at AVID when they visit Athens, Georgia from California in the spring. Once we got back to the office, Becky called her sister to tell her about her literary find and squeals of delight rose to all levels of the building.
This is what books do. They evoke emotion. Books allow us to transcend reality and nestle into a place in our minds where words seamed together by writer artists come to life. We can imagine faces and spaces as we spin our own perspective into the telling. That is what local bookshops do. They are the gatekeepers of mind desert. In their capable hands, delicacies are presented for our choosing.
Today I am full and not at all worried about my figure. I got a bountiful helping of nurturance and guidance. Janet and Rachel served me a plate of abundance. In this season of giving and being grateful , I implore you to support local businesses as your way of giving back to your community. The law of reciprocity tells us that you get out of each action what you put into it…and in this way our neighbors are blessed as well….give a little get a little and the world is a better place for us all.
Read more about Jonell Kirby Cash Author of “A Ring A Dance A Second Chance” at
Andrea Williams
Managing Editor of A Public Relations Company
www.apublicrelationscompany.com
